Chanel’s New London Flagship

The grand new Chanel flagship boutique – the largest Chanel shop in the world – is situated at 158-159 New Bond Street, and spans an impressive 12,600 square-feet.

The three-storey space – which was 15 months in the making – showcases “the universe created by Karl Lagerfeld”, and houses everything from ready-to-wear, to fine jewellery and beauty. The interior – spacious and yet homely – is the brainchild of New York-based architect Peter Marino, who has worked on Chanel boutiques worldwide.

A fantastic sculpture inspired by the strands of Coco Chanel’s iconic pearls, by Jean-Michel Othoniel, and made entirely from hand-blown Venetian glass, forms the store’s centrepiece – and appears as if suspended from the ceiling, rising from the ground to the top of the third floor. The piece is flanked by the boutique’s gravity-defying staircases, which have the appearance of floating due to no visible underlying support.

An ode to Coco as much as Karl, the layout has a homely feel – with each section divided into separate rooms, featuring coffee tables adorned with Chanel books, fireplaces, plush carpets and unique décor. The changing rooms are the most decadent you’re likely to come across, while the beauty area features a bar to allow for Chanel makeovers and tutorials.